Base has announced its transition to a unified architecture, while Ether.fi is migrating its payment card to the OP Mainnet.
Base, the Layer 2 solution backed by Coinbase, is set to shift from using Optimism’s technology stack to its own integrated architecture. This change aims to streamline its system, which has been complicated by code distributed across various teams and repositories.
The new architecture will employ open components like Reth, and all updates for Base will be delivered as a single official binary file. This transition is expected to enhance system maintenance and reduce dependence on third-party providers, allowing for a faster rollout of new features. The development team plans to increase the frequency of minor hard forks from three to six each year.
Implementation of the new architecture will occur in four phases, with node operators required to adopt the new Base client for all official updates in the coming months.
Ether.fi Cash Card Migrates to OP Mainnet
In a related development, the Ether.fi Cash cryptocurrency payment card is moving from the Scroll blockchain to the Optimism mainnet. This transition will involve over 70,000 active cards and approximately 300,000 accounts, representing a total of over $160 million in total value locked (TVL).
"In the coming months, around 70,000 active cards, 300,000 accounts, and user assets worth millions will transition to the Optimism ecosystem," the developers stated.
Launched in 2024, Ether.fi Cash allows users to purchase goods with stablecoins in a non-custodial manner. The cards function wherever Visa is accepted, making them a prominent option in the cryptocurrency payment sector, which has seen them account for nearly half of all transactions.
Ether.fi chose to migrate to Optimism for its access to deep liquidity for swaps, a wider range of assets for deposits and withdrawals, and the capability to cover gas fees. The developers have assured users that the transition will be smooth, citing Optimism's proven track record in managing large migrations without disruptions.
Additionally, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has commented that the initial concept of Layer 2 solutions has become outdated, eliciting a variety of responses from the community.
